Breeze put on a show, earn victory in ABL debut

Published: Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 10:42 PM.

SPRINGFIELD — If the Panama City Breeze of the American Basketball League are a curiosity, then count this Panhandle community as not much on the inquisitive side.

At least when it comes to basketball.

The Breeze might have altered that perception somewhat when they hosted the Fort Lauderdale Sharks on Saturday evening at Rutherford High School in their inaugural game and staged a late rally for a 90-86 win.

The 150 fans in attendance probably were treated to the sport played at its highest level in the history of Bay County, with the possible exception of some NBA players who barnstormed through here decades ago. Members of teams in the ABL basically are auditioning for scouts and professional contacts in more lucrative leagues in this country and overseas.

In that regard, at least for one night Breeze guards Marvin Roberts, Calvin Cage and Derrio Green showed that they were relevant by combining for 75 of their team’s points and 16 3-pointers. The Sharks put seven players in double figures with an attack that focused more on penetration.

Games are contested under international basketball federation (FIBA) rules, and there are a few differences not widely experienced by fans of the college and professional games. Quarters are 10 minutes in duration. The 3-point line is roughly 20 feet, 6 inches from the rim instead of 23-9 in the NBA.

Offensive players are allowed to touch the ball in the cylinder once it has hit the rim and zone defenses are allowed with the Breeze utilized that strategy most of the game.

SPRINGFIELD — If the Panama City Breeze of the American Basketball League are a curiosity, then count this Panhandle community as not much on the inquisitive side.

At least when it comes to basketball.

The Breeze might have altered that perception somewhat when they hosted the Fort Lauderdale Sharks on Saturday evening at Rutherford High School in their inaugural game and staged a late rally for a 90-86 win.

The 150 fans in attendance probably were treated to the sport played at its highest level in the history of Bay County, with the possible exception of some NBA players who barnstormed through here decades ago. Members of teams in the ABL basically are auditioning for scouts and professional contacts in more lucrative leagues in this country and overseas.

In that regard, at least for one night Breeze guards Marvin Roberts, Calvin Cage and Derrio Green showed that they were relevant by combining for 75 of their team’s points and 16 3-pointers. The Sharks put seven players in double figures with an attack that focused more on penetration.

Games are contested under international basketball federation (FIBA) rules, and there are a few differences not widely experienced by fans of the college and professional games. Quarters are 10 minutes in duration. The 3-point line is roughly 20 feet, 6 inches from the rim instead of 23-9 in the NBA.

Offensive players are allowed to touch the ball in the cylinder once it has hit the rim and zone defenses are allowed with the Breeze utilized that strategy most of the game.

Ostensibly this is a players’ league, and the opportunity for them to remain viable in the sport is foremost. Paychecks are minimal, with notoriety in professional basketball the biggest reward.

Green, a former Mosley and Gulf Coast standout who went on to play at UNC-Charlotte said he was told about the league through his agent a few months ago.

“It’s not about the money, I just want to get my name out there,” he said after scoring 23 points, including the clinching free throws with 3.1 seconds left. “Especially the way my senior year ended kind of bad.”

The Breeze would seem to be tailored to his skill set with their perimeter-oriented offense. Nineteen of their 29 field goals were 3-pointers, including one by former Tulane player Johnny Mayhane with 10 seconds left that gave the Breeze their first lead since 10-9.

“Coach stresses for everybody to shoot,” Green noted. “It’s kind of run and gun, and there’s a lot of freedom.”

Fort Lauderdale led almost the entire game, and by as much as 43-29 in the second quarter when the Sharks scored 16 of their 21 points in the paint.

Mayhane’s bomb from the left wing followed a basket by Damian Staples that pulled Panama City within 86-85. Roberts then blocked a shot by Zach Payton in the lane, and after Staples missed the front end of the bonus the Breeze got the ball back under their basket and Green was fouled on the inbounds.

Cage, who played at the University of Buffalo, had 22 of his game-high 28 points in the second half and buried seven 3-pointers. Roberts, from Florida International, had 18 of his 24 in the first half to keep Panama City within 47-40 at intermission.

Anthony Brown led the Sharks’ balanced offense with 14 points. Payton had all but two of his 13 in the second half, Mathew Rolle had 12, Treymayne Russell 11 and Antonio Fortunato, Stan Gaines and Jevon Daniels all had 10.

The Breeze play their next ABL game at the Heartland Eagles on Thursday. They return to Rutherford next Saturday against the Miami Stars when their following might reflect the opener’s positive result.

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